their town during Ramadan, they must fast for as long as they remain in their town.

If they arrive in their town during the course of the day, the scholars have differed over whether they must abstain for the rest of the day. There are two reports on this from Imam Ahmad (1).

The correct view is that they are not required to abstain, since they gain nothing by such abstinence. As far as they are concerned, this day is not one whose sanctity has been violated, for they ate and drank at its beginning when that was lawful for them. Thus, they have not violated the sanctity of the day. This differs from one who breaks his fast at the beginning of the day without an excuse: he must abstain, and he cannot say, “I have already spoiled my fast, so I will eat and drink.” Rather, we say: You have violated the sanctity of the day, so you must abstain.

Similarly, if a menstruating woman becomes pure during the course of a day in Ramadan, then, according to the stronger view, she is not required to abstain. For she was unconditionally permitted to break her fast at the beginning of the day, so this day is not, as far as she is concerned, one whose sanctity must be observed; requiring her to abstain would bring her nothing but hardship.

Question: If someone breaks his fast in order to save a life that is inviolable, must he abstain for the remainder of the day? For example, he sees someone drowning in water and cannot rescue him from drowning unless he breaks his fast by eating or drinking; so he breaks his fast, then rescues and saves him.

Answer: According to the stronger view, he is not required to abstain, because he broke his fast for a permissible reason.

This differs from a boy who reaches puberty during the course of the day, for he must abstain.